Alcohol - Benefits and Drawbacks

Alcohol - Benefits and Drawbacks

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is been used since prehistoric times.  Its primarily consumed for the mood it invokes.  Ethyl alcohol is  the main ingredient of alcoholic beverages.  It is made by fermentation of starch or sugar. Almost any sweet or starchy food like potatoes, grains, honey, grapes and other fruits, even dandelions can be turned into alcohol. Unlike most foods, alcohol is not digested but gets absorbed into the blood stream.  Due to this nature of Alcohol there are few benefits and drawbacks.

BENEFITS

·         Consumed moderately lowers the risk of heart attack and reduces the risk of clot formation.

·         Regular consumption of small quantities shall aid in improving appetite and aid digestion

·         Promotes  happy mood.

DRAWBACKS

·         Becomes an addiction

·         Prevents medication from healing

·         Regular consumption over a period of time increases the  risk of cancers, as well as heart and liver disease.

Recent studies have found that drinking small amounts of alcohol, especially red wine, lowers the risk of a heart attack. Studies also have proven having two alcoholic drinks a day offers more than double the protection from cardiovascular disease than one drink provides. The risk of a heart attack lowers because alcohol reduces the detrimental effects of elevated blood cholesterol while also preventing clot formation. In this study levels of bad cholesterol (low density lipoprotein, or LDL) lowered, as did triglyceride levels: High levels of either raise the risk of heart disease.  However, moderation is the key property,  alcohol can be beneficial until consumed moderately.  Excessive consumption may lead to may health problems.

Nutrition Tips: No need to say "No"

Nutrition Tips: No need to say "No"

Coconut

Coconut is wholesome. Every part of it can be used. Coconut has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties that can be useful to the body.

Groundnuts

Groundnuts has antioxidants which very few plants have and it is called reservetol. It has properties that can burn the stubborn fat in your bodies. Eating some peanuts will keep the heart healthy. It helps you mobilise the fat deposited areas that needs to be worked on.

Rice

Rice is a must-have. Grown regionally, eat rice as it has methionine needed for lustrous hair. If you are dieting and cutting out rice, you will notice how the diet leads to hairfall. Always check for rice with red lines on them. That is the rice you should be eating.

Ghee

Always add ghee in your food. Ghee or clarified butter increases the immunity needed in a body. It should be an integral part of your diet as it increases the flexibility needed for bones. It is also an important anti-ageing agent. Make it at home to avoid impuritie

Diabetes and Kidney Failures

Diabetes and Kidney Failures

Did you know that diabetes affects the kidney? Diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease) is one of the important specificcomplications of diabetes. Around 30 to 50 percent of people with kidney failure are diabetics.

Uncontrolled high blood sugar for long period of time produces functional and later structural changes in the kidneys. But it is very unfortunate that the changes occurring in kidneys are not clinically obvious to the  doctor.  The symptom the patient shows is until the kidney function is severely affected and the disease has reached an irreversible stage. One way of  detecting early kidney damage in diabetes is through urine test. Presence of albumin leak in urine is called albuminuria of proteinuria.

In routine urine examination will detect albuminuria. However, as there are no symptoms this is not given any clinical importance and often goes unnoticed without medical care. Albumunuria is a symptom of early diabetic kidney disease. Aggressive treatment should start at this time and the progression of the kidney damage could be delayed or arrested.

Most research studies have shown that adequate and long-termcontrol of blood sugar, blood pressure and nutritional changes can help in preventing kidney disease. However, the efforts should start early in the life of people with diabetes. New classes of drugs used fortreatment of hypertension are called angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors. These agents were originally invented and used fortreatment of hypertension. But they were found to be beneficial in preventing kidney disease in persons with diabetes, especially in patients who have albuminuria.

Other than the specific diabetes kidney disease, people with diabetes are also more prone to urinary tract infections. Chronic recurrent urinary tract infection is more common due to high blood sugar levels. Diabetes can also affect the nerves supplying the urinary bladder and produce abnormal bladder function (diabetes ystopathy). This can lead to deficient urinary evacuation and urinary retention. Therefore prevention of infections also helps in preventing kidney damage in diabetes.

So, remember, if you are a diabetic then have urine examination for albumin periodically to detect kidney disease.

Tips to prevent leg cramps

Tips to prevent leg cramps

Leg cramps are very painful and often the pain stays for longer periods affecting free movements.  Here are some tips that help preven cramps

 

·         Soothe the pain by dipping your leg in lukewarm water before sleeping.

·         Mildly massaging the affected area with lavender oil could ease pain.

·         Make it a routine to mildly stretch the muscles that are often cramped.

·         Leg cramps at nights can be quiet severe.  Consume a tablespoon of honey before bedtime as honey reduces the chances of muscle contraction.

·         Drink plenty of water.

·         Muscle cramps could also occur due to electrolyte imbalance.  Try to include green leafy vegetables in your diet as often as possible.

·         Potassium intake is very vital, hence consume atleast two bananas daily to keep leg cramps at bay.

Keep dandruff at bay

Keep dandruff at bay

Tips to get rid of dandruff

Healthy hair testifies a healthy body.  Following are some tips to have a dandruff free hair

·         Avoid junk and oily food as they are the main reasons for dandruff.

·         Avoid caffine.

·         Avoid hair colouring and applying chemicals if you have dandruff as it will worsen the problem.

·         Oil your  hair regularly.

·         Make a mixture of egg white and lemon juice and apply it on the scalp.  This helps Make a mixture of egg white and lemon juice and apply it on the scalp.  This gives relief from a itchy scalp.

·         Drink plenty of water.

·         Wash your hair regularly in luke warm water.

·         Protect your hair from dust.

·         Consume a balanced diet rich in protein and ir

Yoga a stress reliever

Yoga a stress reliever

Yoga not only helps trim your body but also helps to relieve stress.  Breathing exercises has several advantages.  You can do it anywhere and has immediate effect.  Breathing relaxes the muscles and calms the mind.  They help oxygenate the blood stream.  Meditation is the next level once you have learnt the breathing techniques.   Meditation helps increase concentration.  Mediation should be done initially for a few minutes and then increased gradually. Meditation also helps calm the mind.

Once you are stressed start relaxing the different muscles in your body... this may sound difficult as you will have to park the emotions a side for a few minutes.  Start relaxing your facial muscles and then neck, shoulder etc.,  By relaxing you are teaching your body to distress.

Listening to music is also a stress reliever.  When you are tensed start listening to some music and remind yourself of some good memories.  Music can calm your mind and body and also helps lower blood pressure.

Exercising is also a stress buster.  It provides dual benefit of retaining a trim body as well as calms the mind.

Did you Know??

Did you Know??

Cashew has obesity and gallstone-fighting fighting properties.  Magnesium present in cashews ensures healthy bones and teeth.  The copper content in cashew increases the antioxidant defenses.  Cashew is rich in iron and calcium.

Watermelon is a good source of antioxidant lycopene.  This antioxidant travels throughout the body, neutralising the free radicals that cause fat-related health problems.  It also reduces the risks of prostate cancer.

The mucilage and fibre found in lady's finger helps adjust the blood sugar by regulating its absorption in the small intestine.  It helps in reabsorbing water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and surplus bile and slips it through the stools.  It helps in propogation of the probiotic bacteria.